Mp21-04 gender bias in urology: how do patients really choose their urologist?

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP21-04 GENDER BIAS IN UROLOGY: HOW DO PATIENTS REALLY CHOOSE THEIR UROLOGIST? Alexander Tamalunas, Philipp Lenau, Leo Stadelmeier, Jan-Niclas Mumm, Theresa Vilsmaier, Henrik Höhn, Maja-Lena Mumm, Raphaela Waidelich, Jozefina Casuscelli, Giuseppe Magistro, Alexander Buchner, Thomas Kolben, Christian Stief, and Martin Hennenberg Alexander TamalunasAlexander Tamalunas More articles by this author , Philipp LenauPhilipp Lenau More articles by this author , Leo StadelmeierLeo Stadelmeier More articles by this author , Jan-Niclas MummJan-Niclas Mumm More articles by this author , Theresa VilsmaierTheresa Vilsmaier More articles by this author , Henrik HöhnHenrik Höhn More articles by this author , Maja-Lena MummMaja-Lena Mumm More articles by this author , Raphaela WaidelichRaphaela Waidelich More articles by this author , Jozefina CasuscelliJozefina Casuscelli More articles by this author , Giuseppe MagistroGiuseppe Magistro More articles by this author , Alexander BuchnerAlexander Buchner More articles by this author , Thomas KolbenThomas Kolben More articles by this author , Christian StiefChristian Stief More articles by this author , and Martin HennenbergMartin Hennenberg More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003246.04AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the influence of patients’ and urologists’ gender when choosing a urologist. With rising population diversity through immigration and generational differences, patient-centered healthcare has recently moved to the focus of European healthcare systems. As healthcare in urology often concentrates on sensitive topics, and often involves gender-specific diseases, research on the influence of gender on decision-making processes is of high importance. Understanding influence of gender on patients’ choices in real life would provide patients, and physicians alike, with the means to provide better resources to achieve greater satisfaction from visits to a urologist. METHODS: A questionnaire was prepared, and patients at our tertiary referral center were given the opportunity to voluntarily participate in our survey. We collected questionnaires from 1,012 patients during their visits from June 2021 to October 2021. RESULTS: Patients were divided into groups according to their gender: male (n=763), female (n=246), and non-binary (n=3). Our patient cohort consisted of more men than women (75% vs. 24%), with only three patients identifying as non-binary. Irrespective of the patients’ own gender, patients preferred a male urologist when problems were considered embarrassing, limiting daily activities, or when worrisome. When problems were considered painful, all patients preferred a female urologist. When patients had had a previous positive experience with a female or male urologist, they preferred to be treated by a female or male urologist, respectively. Overall, 65% of patients stated a gender preference for at least one given situation, or consultation scenario (Figure 1: Violin plot of gender preference, separated by patients’ gender). CONCLUSIONS: As the majority of our patients stated a gender preference, urological departments should be considerate of potential patients’ preferences for urologist gender that may be based on the individual patient's history, taking a comprehensive approach to fulfill the patients’ need for same gender urologists in educational hospitals and health care services. Source of Funding: None © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e285 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Alexander Tamalunas More articles by this author Philipp Lenau More articles by this author Leo Stadelmeier More articles by this author Jan-Niclas Mumm More articles by this author Theresa Vilsmaier More articles by this author Henrik Höhn More articles by this author Maja-Lena Mumm More articles by this author Raphaela Waidelich More articles by this author Jozefina Casuscelli More articles by this author Giuseppe Magistro More articles by this author Alexander Buchner More articles by this author Thomas Kolben More articles by this author Christian Stief More articles by this author Martin Hennenberg More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...